Chapter 17: Wedding Night

This wedding ceremony was destined to be grand, as it involved the marriage of a royal princess.

Su Youruo took charge of all the arrangements for the wedding on behalf of the Li family, ensuring everything was meticulously organized.

Now, they were simply awaiting the arrival of the wedding procession.

Time flew by, and half a month passed swiftly until the wedding procession finally arrived in Heavenly River City.

On this beautiful day, Heavenly River City was enveloped in joyous festivities and perfect weather.

Li Daoxuan had also established various businesses in Heavenly River City, solidifying the Li family's status as wealthy.

Moreover, this wedding garnered attention not only due to the involvement of the royal family but also because the Ninth Princess, despite her subdued presence, held the esteemed title of a royal princess.

The royal family itself wielded significant power as a formidable cultivation family, backed by influential sects. Moreover, the secular world held the royal authority in high regard, drawing many attendees upon hearing the news.

Most officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, even if absent in person, sent congratulatory gifts.

Many cultivation families from the secular realm also attended the wedding.

As an inner disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Li Daoxuan's identity held considerable sway.

Most importantly, many had learned that Li Daoxuan had influential connections backing him. Inquiries revealed that one of his wives was the Elder Supreme of the Heavenly Dao Sect.

Li Daoxuan's status was now elevated!

The wedding ceremony itself was solemn, grand, and meticulously detailed.

Li Daoxuan's robust physique as a cultivator proved advantageous, as enduring such an elaborate ceremony would have been taxing otherwise.

During the ceremony, Li Daoxuan noticed the Ninth Princess trembling.

Fatigued!

Li Daoxuan felt a pang of sympathy. After all, the Ninth Princess was a delicate woman.

Li Daoxuan reached out and gently grasped the Ninth Princess's slender, trembling hand.

Though somewhat impolite, Li Daoxuan paid it no mind.

The moment their hands touched, the Ninth Princess flinched like a startled deer.

Then, a warm current surged through their linked hands, flowing into the Ninth Princess's body.

Ji Ziling suddenly felt warmth spreading throughout her body. In an instant, her fatigue dissipated, replaced by newfound strength.

Beneath her red veil, her eyes gleamed brighter.

Her trembling ceased, and the inner turmoil of anxiety, fear, and confusion gradually faded away.

To have such a caring husband was truly a blessing; what did it matter if she was marrying into this?

The ceremony spanned half a day.

Next came the reception of guests, culminating in the bride finally being escorted to the bridal chamber.

While Li Daoxuan personally attended to the guests, two figures stealthily made their way toward the bridal chamber in the backyard.

"Qing Meimei, slow down; you're pregnant."

"Sister Su, aren't you curious? Don't you want to meet our new sister?"

Indeed, these figures were none other than Su Youruo and Qing Xuan.

They both harbored a desire to meet the bride, or more accurately, Qing Xuan had persuaded Su Youruo to join her.

Despite being on the verge of motherhood, Qing Xuan, a spirited and free-spirited girl, couldn't settle down.

"Squeak~"

The door to the bridal chamber creaked open, allowing Qing Xuan and Su Youruo to slip inside quietly.

The bridal chamber was quiet. Qing Xuan and Su Youruo entered and soon caught sight of a figure seated quietly.

Tap~

Tap tap~

The soft footsteps roused Ji Ziling from her reverie. She assumed it was her husband and felt her heart race, unconsciously clutching her skirt.

Approaching Ji Ziling, neither Qing Xuan nor Su Youruo uttered a word, intensifying Ji Ziling's nervousness.

"Puchi!"

"Hahaha..."

Unable to contain herself, Qing Xuan burst into laughter upon seeing the bashful bride.

Startled by the laughter, Ji Ziling trembled, asking, "Who... who are you?" Her voice, gentle yet trembling, evoked sympathy.

"Hello, little sister!"

"My sister and I came to see you. You must be hungry, right? Look, we've brought fine wine and delicacies for you."

Before Qing Xuan could finish speaking, she casually lifted Ji Ziling's red veil.

"Ah~ What...?" Ji Ziling was taken aback.

Not only was she left waiting for her husband on her wedding night, but now two sisters had arrived as well?

Ji Ziling felt at a loss.

She wasn't entirely ignorant; she had heard that her husband already had two wives.

Fearing exclusion by the other wives, Ji Ziling was relieved upon seeing the two sisters, realizing her worries were unfounded.

Su Youruo reassured her, "Sister Ziling, don't worry. We're just concerned you might be hungry."

Qing Xuan chimed in, "Exactly! Do you want to eat something first?"

Ji Ziling hesitated, conflicted. "Isn't this inappropriate?"

Soon, the three of them bonded, addressing each other as sisters as if they were indeed siblings.

Ji Ziling's emotions fluctuated greatly that day.

For the first time, she felt cared for and no longer alone. She realized there were loved ones in this world.

Su Youruo and Qing Xuan also learned of Ji Ziling's tragic background.

Tears welled up in Qing Xuan's eyes as she promised, "Ziling, don't worry. Your sister will protect you. No one will dare to bully you anymore."

"Yes, thank you, sisters."

The trio shared laughter and joy as they ate and drank in the bridal chamber.

Outside the door, Li Daoxuan stood stunned before realizing what had transpired.

Surely, this was Qing Xuan's doing. He, the groom, hadn't even entered the bridal chamber yet, and his sister had taken the lead.

Shaking his head, Li Daoxuan entered, asking, "What's so amusing? Tell me!"

"Ah!"

Ji Ziling jumped up, startled, frantically searching for her red veil.

Qing Xuan held Ji Ziling's hand, comforting her, "Sister, there's no need for the veil. It's troublesome."

"Yeah! Husbands don't mind these things."

Li Daoxuan chuckled, "Miss Ziling, from now on, you're part of the Li family. Live as you wish; I'll take care of everything."

"Yes!"

They all settled back down, continuing their feast.

Ji Ziling felt shy and couldn't bring herself to meet Li Daoxuan's gaze directly.

Occasionally stealing glances, she quickly averted her eyes.

Late into the night, Su Youruo signaled Qing Xuan, indicating it was time to leave.

Understanding the cue, Qing Xuan smiled, "Senior brother, it's time for you and Ziling to be alone in the bridal chamber."

"But don't you dare bully her!"

Li Daoxuan chuckled mischievously, "What about you two..."